Jhapiji

(Jhapiji is used to take shriji from one place to another)

Cane Jhapiji Wooden Jhapiji Packing Jhapiji

Introduction

Jhapiji is an indispensible part of Sewa. If a vaishnav is willing to do Pusht-Sewa then he/she must first of all purchase a jhapiji. The jhapiji is used to carry shriji from one place to another, the whole sewa-kram can also be done in a jhapiji when we go out. When going out on tour you must first think of your prabhu. You must always try to see that you take prabhu along with you wherever you go. Whenever we have to carry prabhu from one place to another (when we go out or some other vaishnav takes prabhu to his/her house to do sewa) always do it in a jhapiji.

Shape of Jhapiji

There is a given shape of jhapiji, it cannot be altered. Generally the jhapiji is rectangular in shape. It has a lace or latch on it so that it does not open while in travel. Moreover, the material with which the jhapiji is constructed is also clearly mentioned. It must be made of wood or cane. The use of materials like plastic or steel or iron is not permitted. Let us look at different types of jhapiji viz. Cane jhapiji and Wooden Jhapiji. We also learn to pack Jhapiji for travel. We must always select a jhapiji which is neither too small nor too large for our sevya-swaroop (carrying a very large jhapiji can also become troublesome). First let us look at the different types of jhapiji :

Cane Jhapiji

This is the conventional type of jhapiji. The whole jhapiji is made of cane (like a cane basket), from the inside it's border's are filled with cotton before being sealed with silk or satin cloth (it is advisable to use these clothes and not cotton as they are considered purer to cotton) because the sides of the cane jhapiji are unfinished. On the outside it can be covered either with silk cloth or kantan (jute). A latch or lace is attached for packing the jhapiji while in travel.

A gadiji (seat) is placed inside the jhapiji. This gadiji must also be soft and covered with white cotton cloth. Pillows like the ones which are used daily on shriji's shaiyyaji (bed) must be placed on the gadiji. The set of clothes inside a jhapiji must always be new (unwashed - kora). It is advisable to keep different gadi and pillows for daily sewa and jhapiji.

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Wooden Jhapiji

This type of jhapiji is becoming more popular nowadays. It is readily available at places like Nathdwara (Shrinathji) or Mathura. It is completely made of wood and has ventilation at the sides and top. The new designs have also started including seperate drawers for keeping shringars and also small comparments for keeping the bantaji (shriji's lunch box) and misc things like attar etc. The details regarding gadiji are the same as that of the cane jhapiji.

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Packing Jhapiji

We must always pack the jhapiji in a silk cloth. Follow the procedure mentioned below to pack the jhapiji :

First spread a big silk cloth on the ground (it must be according to the size of the jhapiji, neither too small nor too big).
Place the jhapiji diagonally on top of the cloth (so that it forms a 45 degree angle with the silk cloth).
Now tie a knot on top by taking two opposite ends of the cloth.
Repeat point 3 for the remaining two ends.

Now the jhapiji is ready for travel.

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